Blazers' Brandon Roy to pursue medical retirement

On Friday, Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan confirmed that guard Brandon Roy will pursue a medical retirement rather than play during the 2011-2012 season. As recently as Monday, the Blazers had said Roy would pencil in as a starter.

The Associated Press provides additional details.

Portland Trail Blazers All-Star guard Brandon Roy has told the team that he is retiring because of ongoing difficulty with his knees.

Portland players were informed of Roy's decision to seek medical retirement on Friday before the first practice of training camp.

Roy, a five-year veteran who helped the team shed its "Jail Blazers" reputation, has been dogged by knee injuries and surgeries. He has said he lacks cartilage between the bones in both knees.

NBA spokesman Tim Frank said Roy had not yet filed the retirement paperwork with the league.

Roy did not report to the Blazers' practice facility on Friday and his agent did not respond to a request for comment on any retirement plans, first reported by ESPN.com early Friday.

The reports contradicted statements made on Monday during a news conference with Blazers President Larry Miller, coach Nate McMillan and acting general manager Chad Buchanan. Roy had met with team officials earlier that day and said he felt good and was ready to help the team in any way he could.

But during a medical evaluation on Thursday it became apparent that Roy's knees were not going to be able to handle another season.

"It's a tough situation," said Blazers center Marcus Camby. "People will say `Hey, he'll get his money. But Brandon's a competitor."

Earlier Monday, Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reported that Blazers guard Brandon Roy was considering medical retirement in the face of repeated severe knee injuries. The report will come as devastating news to Blazers fans, despite the long road leading to this point.

NBA rules stipulate that if doctors clear Roy for medical retirement, his salary would come off the Blazers' cap after one year, though he would still be paid the full amount of his contract. If he were to return for retirement for ten games or more, the full amount would return to the Blazers' cap situation.

It's an unfortunate ending to what was once thought to be a long and brilliant career. But the Blazers knew of the condition when they signed him to a massive extension, knew of it when he was drafted. It's the sad consequence of being human, that sometimes the body simply cannot give what we want.

Wesley Matthews is expected to take over starting duties at shooting guard for the Blazers.

Brandon Roy considering medical retirement

Even though he had a short career in the league. In my opinion he should be a fist ballot HOF player. He was one of a hand full of all time greats that were unguardable. Being with a small market with Portland and only in the NBA for a few years might cost him but he will always go down as one of the games best closers of all time and easily on of the greatest Blazers of all time if not the best. We will miss your Brandon Roy 'The Natural'!

Since: May 11, 2009

Posted on: December 9, 2011 6:22 pm

Brandon Roy considering medical retirement

Retirement at age 27 because of bad knees...at least he played 5 more years than Oden will........

Since: Jul 26, 2009

Posted on: December 9, 2011 6:21 pm

Brandon Roy considering medical retirement

Best result that could have happened other than a 100% Roy fr the Blazers. Blazers save the amesty and get way more cap room next year and become major players in free agency next year with Camby's contract coming off and possibly not resigning Greg Oden as he will be a unrestricted free agent next season. I feel bad for Roy asside from all the whining he seemed to be a good guy. I don't feel sorry as he still gets paid his 83 million by the Blazers. I'm sure the Blazers will keep him around as a coach or in a front office role. Smart move for Roy as I'd rather be able to walk than plat B=ball another year or 2. Thanks for the good times.

Since: Dec 24, 2007

Posted on: December 9, 2011 6:14 pm

Brandon Roy considering medical retirement

Such a sad happenstance. Roy not only is a great player and a joy to watch; he's also a quality guy who has done much to help the less fortunate. This is a guy who deserved to have a long, storied career. It's so, so sad to see it cut short this way. The sincere hope is that Roy can continue to be involved in the game in some capacity. If not, he's smart, industrious and sincere enough to succeed in whatever he tries. Be well, Brandon. And keep your head up. You're a class act.

Since: Nov 3, 2006

Posted on: December 9, 2011 5:40 pm

Brandon Roy considering medical retirement

In an NBA where is seems so many players are more worried about getting traded to a big market team then helping their present team win (can you say "Chris Paul"? can you say "Carmello Anthony"?), it really is too bad that a player like Roy who frantically pushed himself so that he could help his team compete during the playoffs last year has to retire. Frankly, a few more Brandon Roy's in the league and a few less Lebrick James's (no matter what the talent level) and the NBA would have a much healthier product to offer the public.

Good luck with retirement Brandon. Everyone knows you were a class act.

Since: Sep 18, 2006

Posted on: December 9, 2011 5:40 pm

Brandon Roy considering medical retirement

I wonder if he can still play golf. If I got that kind of chedda and could still golf, well god bless America fellas!

Since: Aug 18, 2006

Posted on: December 9, 2011 5:02 pm

Brandon Roy considering medical retirement

I'm really sorry to hear about a guy who got his career cur short by injuries and for most of Roy's career he was underated. Greg Oden is contagious.

Since: Jul 27, 2010

Posted on: December 9, 2011 4:46 pm

Brandon Roy considering medical retirement

Wish him the best and, as unfortunate as this seems, this is probably the best decision for him. As long as he's saved and not been an idiot, he's set for life and probably has a good chance at commentating or analyzing...but knees are something that could haunt you your whole life and given the problems he's had, if he wants to be able to walk when he older he had to retire before any more damage was done. The fact is, our bodies are not built to be run into the ground day in and day out for forty years.some people are more prone than others, but the truth is bodies break down and things stop working. As much as I'm sure he hates that he has to do this, in twenty years, while he still may feel that he got the short end of the stick, he'll be thankful he can still walk.

Since: Apr 11, 2007

Posted on: December 9, 2011 4:29 pm

Brandon Roy considering medical retirement

Some people here are taking the tack that this is a horrible way to go, really, its not. I will miss Broy, as much as anyone, heart of the team, face of the franchise, and likely to be to some extent, for years. Down to business, if this is how it is going to go then it works out, about as good as the blazers, and brandon could hope. Brandon gets full contract paid out (about another 40 mil) the blazers have to fork out 40 mil for a player they can not use, but......after april 28 2012 his salary comes off the books (vs. the luxury tax) which means that they owe it to brandon, but it does not count towards their annual salary to players overall, giving the blazers flexibility, big time. You know what Paul Allen can afford to pay brandon and it does not hurt the team in any way. The other caveat, the blazers will still have an amnesty clause if they need it, plus cap room to either re-sign Oden (if he coughs up a big season somehow and stays healthy (yeah right)) or pick up a max free agent next year, all while opening a roster spot for a mid level exception player. This is the best way it could have happened, the blazers get kudos from their fans and the city (believe me when I say this, because they did big time) and Brandon feels good that they stood by him, and now he can pull back and retire, like he should and there is no acrimony. The blazers are open for business in the best possible way. and as fans, we can all still love and respect the young man that helped to change our franchise into somehting again, with one last self sacraficing move he is still a leader to our team. I do not care if anyone says "self sacrafice???? he gets 40 mil!!" yup he does and your right he is set for life, but he gave up what he loves so that it could grow, would you do the same.......

Since: Dec 11, 2007

Posted on: December 9, 2011 4:25 pm

Brandon Roy considering medical retirement

I'm sad that Roy has to retire. I hope that the Blazers did EVERYthing they could to help his health. I'm sure they did. I hope to see Roy find success somewhere soon. Good luck Brando!! Much love!!